Full-steam fall ahead for central Florida parks and attractions
A Grim Reaper character seen during the annual Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Halloween event in Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World in Orlando. Credit: Ronen Tivony
There are a slew of events coming up at Central Florida attractions, and some of them don’t even involve jack-o’-lanterns or borderline dad-joke puns in their titles.
A recent social media post referred to this time period as the “-ber months,” which is better than the brrrrrr months, most Floridians would agree. Fear not. This roundup doesn’t dip into turkey season or mistletoe ... yet.
A pirate theme is incorporated into Sea Life Orlando Aquariums Halloween festivities. Credit: Sea Life Orlando
—Island H2O Water Park in Kissimmee is hosting Tailgate Weekends on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. There are games on the Jumbotron adjacent to the wave pool, plus a package deal with a cabana, meal vouchers and souvenir bottles.
More info: islandh2owaterpark.com
—Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has introduced Halloween Harvest, a family-friendly event that’s included with park admission. Activities include trick-or-treating, a costume parade, scavenger hunts, Taffy Twist’s Black Cat Dance Party, Spook Kooky Science Show and Storytime with Kandy, a young witch in training and the reading of “Room on the Broom.” It’s held on select dates through Oct. 27.
More info: buschgardenstampa.com
—Legoland Florida’s Brick or Treat festivities go on for weekends through Oct. 27. New to the event this year: “Monster Skytacular,” a drone show. Returning are a dance party hosted by Lord Vampyre and the rare appearances of Lego monster characters.
More info: legolandflorida.com
—Sea Life Orlando Aquarium is presenting Pirates of the Haunted Seas from Oct. 4-Nov. 3. That will include underwater pumpkin carving by aquarists, educational stations about pirates and nautical history, plus trick-or-treating and holiday decorations. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Capt. Sebastian will do meet-and-greets and tell a yarn about the allure of the aquarium’s waters.
More info: visitsealife.com/orlando
—The Orange County Regional History Center’s next Lunch & Learn session is titled “The History Behind Central Florida’s Spooky-Themed Attractions.” The one-hour event, led by museum historian Rachel Williams, is set for noon Oct. 4. The downtown Orlando museum also is hosting two special exhibits: “Home Away From Home: Historic Hotels of Central Florida” (through Oct. 13) and “Cover Story: Celebrating Watermark’s 30 Years” (through Dec. 15).
More info: thehistorycenter.org
—The Fall Into the Wind promo is now available at iFly, the sky diving simulator on International Drive. The deal includes four flights for one person, plus video clips from the session for $109, a 27% discount. The package must be purchased and used by Oct. 13.
More info: iflyworld.com
—Pirates Dinner Adventure near I-Drive is offering Vampirates: The Haunting Search for Neptune’s Treasure on select nights through Oct. 31. The story involves a pirate crew of vampires in search of a cursed necklace that allows them to go out in the daylight, plus there’s stunts, swordplay and aerial acts. Meanwhile, next door at Teatro Martini’s Vaudeville Variety Review, it’s a Halloween Revue running from Oct. 3-Nov. 2. Entertainment for the interactive dinner show includes singers, jugglers, magicians, comedians and “lyrical pole dancers,” according to its news release. (Also on the drink menu: a Ghost-tini.)
More info: piratesdinneradventure.com
—The Outta Control Spooktacular Magic Dinner Show returns nightly to WonderWorks from Oct. 4-31. New tricks up the sleeve incorporate voodoo doll routines and Dracula-assisted mind reading.
More info: wonderworksonline.com/orlando
—Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins will be held on weekends Oct. 12-27. The event includes the Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum walk-through with Cyrus the Gravedigger, appearances by the Skunk Ape, rides on the Cryptid Express and the new Godwin’s Gourd farm with enormous pumpkin monsters. Also, there is a children’s Halloween costume parade, a live DJ and special vendors on hand.
More info: gatorland.com
—The Zoo Boo Bash returns to Central Florida Zoo in Sanford for three weekends beginning Oct. 12. It features treat stations amid the animals, and guests are encouraged to come in costume.
More info: centralfloridazoo.org
—Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park reopens Nov. 4, but Typhoon Lagoon closes down again Nov. 3. The two attractions have not been open at the same time since the pre-pandemic era of 2020. Disney currently is selling a $79 seasonal water-park pass that’s valid through May 23. More info: disneyworld.com
—Bob Weis, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, will be part of the Legends Panel at IAAPA Expo on Nov. 20. He’ll be teamed with author and creative adviser Margaret Chandra Kerrison and Joe Pine, author and co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP. The session again will be moderated by Bob Rogers, CEO of BRC Imagination Arts.
More info: iaapa.org
—Finally, a quick last call/end date for the sprawling ongoing celebrations: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights wraps up Nov. 3. At SeaWorld Orlando, Howl-O-Scream ends Nov. 2 and its daytime Halloween Spooktacular ends Nov. 3. The final Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is scheduled for Oct. 31. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival concludes Nov. 23, less than a week before the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays cranks up on Nov. 29.
